Alaska Native Elder-Centered Research Methodology

Abstract Alaska Native (AN) Elders have historically been underrepresented in research. Innovative AN research posits that practice-based evidence is fundamental to culturally grounded, multifaceted methods. AN Elders is a cultural convention distinguishing Elders who continue to serve as an integral part of their family and community and recognized by their community as role models. Several studies will be discussed which employed Elders at every level of the research, ensuring cultural relevancy, outcomes, and dissemination activities. The findings lay the foundation for an Elder-centered research methodology that can be adapted and applied in other studies to encourage engagement of older adults. This methodology has potential to impact research for underrepresented groups and to rethink and reshape Western-centric practices. Findings from this research provides best practices for capacity building and sustainability, strategies for empowerment and prevention, and a framework for supporting the AN community in all phases of research.


CULTURAL CONTINUITY IN A RESERVATION NURSING HOME Pamela Monaghan-Geernaert, Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota, United States
Throughout our lifespan we experience the culture of our families and communities. Our cultural selves guide our understanding of health and illness. However the health care system often ignores our culture in the delivery of care. This can have devastating effects on individuals and particularly the elderly. This presentation reviews a case study of a tribally owned and operated nursing home. The emphasis on maintaining cultural activities, feasting on traditional foods, offering sacred practices led to high satisfaction of the health care experience by residents and staff. Creating this environment was difficult and barriers in culturally responsive care delivery will also be discussed.

COMMUNITY-BASED PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH ON DIET AND ACTIVITY WITH AN INDIGENOUS PUEBLO COMMUNITY Karen Kopera-Frye, University of New Mexico, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
Tribal Critical Race Theory (Brayboy, 2005) supports the use of decolonizing methodologies such as Community-Based Participatory Research when collaborating with Indigenous communities. This paper highlights the underlying processes in working with a Pueblo community on an intergenerational health project. Indigenous participants included 16 Piro Pueblo individuals who collaborated on a project examining healthy diets and activity in their community. The project involved providing information on the importance of activity and healthy eating of traditional foods to promote healthy living.
Thematic analysis of open-ended questions exploring the role of culture in food and activity yielded important themes of gathering, resilience, history, honoring ancestors at mealtime, cultural ways, and activities such as dancing and drumming. The results suggest that projects addressing diet and activity collaborate to ensure cultural values, e.g., connectedness, cultural ways, e.g., gathering, dancing, and Indigenous knowledge are represented in the project and viewed through an Indigenous lens.

CPBR PROCESS IN URBAN SETTINGS AND THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES Steffi Kim, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska, United States
CBPR is a framework that allows for the collaboration of researchers and communities as co-partners and is a supported approach for Indigenous communities. The community engagement and co-partnership in this study allowed for the researcher's flexibility to be responsive to culturally appropriate practices and priorities of the communities and participants. CBPR principles, including the Elder Advisory Committee (EAC), were utilized in this urban-based project. Challenges presented in many ways, including the processes of a) entering communities, b) relationship building, c) time involvement, and d) recruitment. Successes represented the unique opportunity to enter communities at an interpersonal level, b) close community engagement, c) gathering information beneficial for the research team and the community, and d) extended community engagement. While challenges exist, this approach's benefits are far-reaching promoting trust, support, and interest in future research endeavors. The presenter will discuss strategies and processes helpful in engagement, recruitment, and data collection.

CREATIVE ARTS-BASED APPROACHES TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF OLDER ADULTS
Chair: Darina Petrovsky Discussant: Justine Sefcik As older adults age they may face cognitive impairment, disruption in their sleep, and a decrease in mood and overall well-being. Given the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, they may experience a disruption in their access to health care services. Creative arts-based approaches have shown promise in improving the well-being 234 Innovation in Aging, 2021, Vol. 5, No. S1 GSA 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting